After he was arrested, officers went to Hammonds’ apartment on Hillside Drive and found his children, ages one and three, sleeping, but alone.

The Department of Children and Families removed the toddlers and health inspectors were called in to evaluate the living conditions.

The Department of Children and Families removed the toddlers from the home early Wednesday morning.

Authorities say the Thanksgiving turkey was still out on the table and there were dirty diapers strewn about the house.

“The apartment was in squalor,” said Hull Police Chief Richard Billings. “The officers found dirty diapers on the floor, urine in the carpet, a turkey sitting out, broken glass in the kitchen, and not much food in the refrigerator, but a lot of beer.”

Relatives say Hammonds’ wife Melissa was in Florida Tuesday night and will be back later Wednesday.

The children are now with her sister pending a thorough investigation.

“She’s a great mom, and a good person,” said Melissa Hammonds’ friend Rachael Pike. “She doesn’t deserve this. She needs to get her kids back.”

“The father was a jerk,” one relative told WBZ-TV.

Hammonds’ attorney claims his client was only out taking a walk to clear his head and that Hammonds left his children alone for just a couple of minutes.

He is charged with breaking and entering, vandalism and abandoning children under the age of 10.

Hammonds pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Wednesday in Hingham District Court.

Love the comment from the friend saying what a good “mom” those kids have. If she were she would not let the kids live in those conditions! Hope DSS places the kids for adoption – at least they will have a chance in life . . . .